10846463

Document Object Model (DOM) Element Location Platform

PublishedNovember 24, 2020
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A computing platform, comprising: at least one processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wherein the computing platform configured to: generate, in response to a request from a user device and based on a markup language template, a document object model (DOM) element tree corresponding to a DOM element to be located in a webpage; generate, using the DOM element tree, an element selector set corresponding to the DOM element; determine a first DOM element result using the element selector set; in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains multiple elements including the DOM element: expand, using the DOM element tree, the element selector set to include additional element selectors, resulting in a first updated element selector set, wherein the element selector set is expanded without causing output of the first DOM element result to the user device, and determine a second DOM element result using the first updated element selector set by determining a unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element; in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains no elements: reduce, using the DOM element tree, the element selector set to include less element selectors, resulting in a second updated element selector set, wherein the element selector set is reduced without causing output of the first DOM element result to the user device, wherein reducing the element selector set comprises: determining whether the element selector set contains a sibling index; in response to determining that the element selector set contains the sibling index, removing the sibling index from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set; in response to determining that the element selector set does not contain the sibling index; determining whether the element selector set contains a class name; in response to determining that the element selector contains the class name, removing the class name from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set; and in response to determining that the element selector does not contain the class name, removing an element identification from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set, and determine the second DOM element result using the second updated element selector set by determining the unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element; and in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains a single element corresponding to the unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element, output the unique element.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a computing platform for dynamically refining element selectors in web scraping or automated web interaction systems. The problem addressed is the challenge of accurately identifying specific DOM (Document Object Model) elements in webpages, where initial selectors may return multiple or no matching elements due to webpage complexity or changes. The system generates a DOM element tree from a markup language template and creates an initial element selector set to locate a target DOM element. If the selector returns multiple elements, the system iteratively expands the selector set by adding more specific criteria (e.g., additional attributes or indices) without user interaction, refining the search until a unique match is found. Conversely, if no elements are found, the system reduces the selector set by progressively removing less critical criteria (e.g., sibling indices, class names, or element IDs) until a match is identified. This adaptive approach ensures robust element selection without requiring manual adjustments or exposing intermediate results to the user. The system outputs the unique element only when a definitive match is confirmed, improving automation reliability in dynamic web environments.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The computing platform of claim 1 , wherein reducing the element selector set comprises: removing, after determining that no elements were determined using the element selector set, a priority selector from the element selector set, resulting in the second updated element selector set.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to computing platforms that optimize element selection in web-based applications or document processing systems. The problem addressed is the inefficiency in selecting elements, such as HTML elements or document components, when a predefined set of selectors fails to identify any matching elements. This can lead to unnecessary processing and delays in rendering or interacting with content. The computing platform includes a mechanism to dynamically adjust an element selector set when no elements are found. Initially, the platform applies a set of selectors to identify elements in a document or web page. If no elements are found, the platform removes a priority selector from the set, creating an updated selector set. This process continues iteratively, removing lower-priority selectors until elements are successfully identified or the set is exhausted. The priority of selectors may be determined based on factors such as specificity, performance impact, or relevance to the task. By dynamically reducing the selector set, the platform avoids redundant checks and improves efficiency in element selection. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where document structures vary or selectors may become obsolete over time.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The computing platform of claim 2 , wherein the element selector set includes one or more priority selectors, the priority selectors being one of the sibling index, the class name, and the element identification corresponding to the DOM element.

Plain English Translation

A computing platform is designed to efficiently select and manipulate elements within a Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page. The system addresses the challenge of accurately identifying and interacting with specific DOM elements, which is critical for web automation, testing, and dynamic content management. The platform includes an element selector set that defines criteria for locating elements within the DOM. This selector set incorporates priority selectors, which are specific attributes used to uniquely identify elements. The priority selectors can include the sibling index, which indicates the position of an element relative to its siblings; the class name, which is a CSS class assigned to the element; or the element identification, such as an ID or other unique identifier. By using these priority selectors, the system ensures precise element selection, even in complex or dynamically generated web pages. The platform may also include additional features, such as a DOM traversal mechanism to navigate the hierarchical structure of the DOM and a rendering engine to process and display web content. The combination of these components enables reliable and efficient element selection, improving the accuracy and performance of web-based applications and automation tools.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The computing platform of claim 1 , wherein the computing platform is further configured to: determine, after determining that the first DOM element result comprises the unique element corresponding to the DOM element, that the DOM element was successfully located.

Plain English Translation

A computing platform is configured to locate a specific element within a Document Object Model (DOM) structure of a web page. The DOM is a programming interface that represents the structure of a web page, allowing programs to dynamically access and update content. The challenge in web automation and testing is accurately identifying and interacting with specific elements in the DOM, especially when multiple elements may share similar attributes or identifiers. The computing platform determines whether a first DOM element result includes a unique element that matches a target DOM element. If the first DOM element result contains the unique element, the platform confirms that the DOM element was successfully located. This process ensures that the correct element is identified, avoiding errors that could occur if multiple elements with similar properties were present. The platform may use various techniques, such as XPath, CSS selectors, or unique identifiers, to locate the element within the DOM structure. Once the element is confirmed, the platform can proceed with further actions, such as extracting data, modifying content, or triggering events. This method improves the reliability of web automation tasks by ensuring precise element identification.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The computing platform of claim 1 , wherein the computing platform is further configured to: determine whether the element selector set corresponds to a null value; and in response to determining that the element selector set corresponds to the null value, determining a failure to locate the DOM element location.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to computing platforms that interact with Document Object Model (DOM) elements in web applications. The problem addressed is the challenge of reliably locating and interacting with specific DOM elements, which can be dynamic or change frequently, leading to failures in web automation, testing, or scraping tasks. The computing platform includes a system for selecting and interacting with DOM elements using element selectors. The platform is configured to receive a set of element selectors, which may include CSS selectors, XPath expressions, or other DOM traversal methods. The platform processes these selectors to locate the corresponding DOM element within a web page's structure. If the element cannot be found, the system determines a failure state, which can trigger error handling or retry mechanisms. A key feature is the ability to detect when the element selector set corresponds to a null value, indicating that no matching DOM element exists. This detection allows the system to handle such cases explicitly, improving robustness in scenarios where elements may be missing, dynamically loaded, or conditionally rendered. The platform may also include mechanisms to retry the selection, use alternative selectors, or notify the user of the failure, depending on the application's requirements. This approach enhances the reliability of web automation tasks by providing clear feedback when element selection fails.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The computing platform of claim 1 , wherein the markup language template includes node information, and wherein the node information comprises one or more of tag information, text information, one or more attributes, an element parent, and an element grandparent corresponding to the DOM element.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to computing platforms that process markup language templates, particularly for generating or manipulating Document Object Model (DOM) elements. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and accurate extraction of detailed structural information from markup language templates, such as HTML or XML, to facilitate DOM element processing. The computing platform includes a markup language template that contains node information for DOM elements. This node information includes tag information, text content, one or more attributes, the parent element, and the grandparent element of the DOM element. The platform processes this structured data to enable precise DOM manipulation, such as rendering, parsing, or transforming markup content. By capturing hierarchical relationships (parent and grandparent elements) alongside attributes and text, the system ensures accurate DOM traversal and modification. This approach enhances performance and reliability in applications like web browsers, document processors, or automated markup generators. The detailed node information allows for fine-grained control over DOM operations, reducing errors in dynamic content rendering or data extraction tasks. The invention improves upon prior systems by providing a comprehensive node representation that supports complex DOM interactions.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The computing platform of claim 1 , wherein the computing platform is further configured to: determine, for each selector of the element selector set and based on a likelihood of failure of the corresponding selector, selector stability; and determine, for element selector set and based on the selector stability, a selector priority order, wherein the selector priority order comprises, from lowest to highest priority: the sibling index, the class name, and the element identification, wherein reducing the element selector set comprises reducing the element selector set based on the selector priority order.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to computing platforms that optimize element selectors in web applications or automated testing systems. The problem addressed is the instability of element selectors, which can fail when web page structures change, leading to broken automation scripts or application errors. The solution involves analyzing and prioritizing selectors to improve their reliability. The computing platform evaluates each selector in a set of element selectors based on its likelihood of failure, determining a stability metric for each. Selectors are then ranked in a priority order from lowest to highest stability: sibling index, class name, and element identification. The platform reduces the selector set by removing lower-priority selectors first, ensuring the most stable selectors remain. This prioritization helps maintain script functionality even when minor structural changes occur in the web application. The approach is particularly useful in automated testing, where selector stability directly impacts test reliability and maintenance effort.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A method comprising: generating, by a computing platform, based on a markup language template, and in response to a request from a user device, a document object model (DOM) element tree corresponding to a DOM element to be located in a webpage; generating, by the computing platform and using the DOM element tree, an element selector set corresponding to the DOM element; determining a first DOM element result using the element selector set; and in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains multiple elements including the DOM element: expanding, using the DOM element tree, the element selector set to include additional element selectors, resulting in a first updated element selector set, wherein the element selector set is expanded without causing output of the first DOM element result to the user device, and determining a second DOM element result using the first updated element selector set by determining a unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element; in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains no elements: reducing, using the DOM element tree, the element selector set to include less element selectors, resulting in a second updated element selector set, wherein the element selector set is reduced without causing output of the first DOM element result to the user device, wherein reducing the element selector set comprises: determining whether the element selector set contains a sibling index; in response to determining that the element selector set contains the sibling index, removing the sibling index from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set; in response to determining that the element selector set does not contain the sibling index: determining whether the element selector set contains a class name; in response to determining that the element selector contains the class name, removing the class name from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set; and in response to determining that the element selector does not contain the class name, removing an element identification from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set, and determining the second DOM element result using the second updated element selector set by determining the unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element; and in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains a single element corresponding to the unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element, output the unique element.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to web scraping and DOM (Document Object Model) element selection in web applications. The problem addressed is the difficulty in accurately identifying and selecting specific DOM elements in a webpage, particularly when dealing with dynamic or complex web structures where initial element selectors may return multiple or no matching elements. The method involves generating a DOM element tree from a markup language template in response to a user request. Using this tree, an element selector set is created to locate a target DOM element within the webpage. If the initial selector set returns multiple elements, the system expands the selector set by adding additional selectors to narrow down the results until a unique element is identified. This expansion is performed without displaying intermediate results to the user. Conversely, if the initial selector set returns no elements, the system reduces the selector set by removing selectors in a prioritized manner—first removing sibling indices, then class names, and finally element identifiers—until a matching element is found. The process continues iteratively until a unique element is identified, which is then output to the user. This approach ensures robust and precise DOM element selection, improving the reliability of web scraping and automation tasks.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein reducing the element selector set comprises: removing, after determining that no elements were determined using the element selector set, a priority selector from the element selector set, resulting in the second updated element selector set.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to optimizing element selection in web scraping or automated browsing systems. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of element selectors when no matching elements are found, leading to wasted computational resources and delays. The solution involves dynamically adjusting an element selector set to improve performance. The method begins with an initial element selector set used to identify elements on a webpage. If no elements are found using this set, the system analyzes the selectors to determine which are least likely to succeed. A priority selector, typically the one with the lowest priority or highest failure rate, is removed from the set. This results in a second updated element selector set that excludes the ineffective selector. The process may repeat iteratively until a valid element is found or the set is exhausted. The approach ensures that selectors that consistently fail are removed, reducing unnecessary attempts and improving the efficiency of element selection. This is particularly useful in dynamic web environments where element availability changes frequently. The method may be applied in automated testing, web scraping, or browser automation tools to enhance reliability and speed.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the element selector set includes one or more priority selectors, the priority selectors being one of the sibling index, the class name, and the element identification corresponding to the DOM element.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to web page content extraction, specifically improving the selection of elements from a Document Object Model (DOM) for data extraction. The problem addressed is the difficulty in accurately identifying and extracting desired elements from a web page's DOM structure, which can vary across different websites or even different versions of the same website. The invention provides a method for selecting DOM elements using a set of priority selectors, which include sibling index, class name, and element identification. These selectors help distinguish between similar elements in the DOM, ensuring more precise extraction. The method involves analyzing the DOM structure, identifying elements based on the priority selectors, and extracting the desired content. The priority selectors allow the system to prioritize certain attributes (e.g., class name over sibling index) when multiple elements match the selection criteria, improving accuracy. This approach is particularly useful for web scraping, automated testing, and content aggregation, where consistent and reliable element selection is critical. The invention enhances the robustness of DOM-based content extraction by reducing reliance on fragile selectors like XPath or CSS selectors, which can break with minor structural changes in the DOM.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: determine, after determining that the first DOM element result comprises the unique element corresponding to the DOM element, that the DOM element was successfully located.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to web page element identification and interaction, specifically improving the reliability of locating dynamic elements in a Document Object Model (DOM). The problem addressed is the challenge of accurately identifying and interacting with web elements that may change dynamically, such as those affected by user actions, network delays, or asynchronous updates. Traditional methods often fail to reliably locate elements due to inconsistencies in DOM structure or timing issues. The method involves analyzing a web page's DOM to locate a specific element. First, a query is executed to search for a target DOM element, producing a set of potential matches. The method then evaluates these matches to identify a unique element that corresponds to the intended target. This involves checking attributes, properties, or hierarchical relationships to ensure the element is distinct and correctly identified. If a unique match is found, the method confirms successful location, enabling subsequent actions like interaction or data extraction. The approach ensures robustness against dynamic changes by dynamically verifying element uniqueness rather than relying on static selectors. This is particularly useful in automated testing, web scraping, or browser automation, where reliable element identification is critical. The method may also include handling cases where no unique match is found, such as retrying or adjusting the search criteria.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: determine whether the element selector set corresponds to a null value; and in response to determining that the element selector set corresponds to the null value, determining a failure to locate the DOM element location.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to web automation and DOM (Document Object Model) element selection, addressing the challenge of accurately identifying and interacting with dynamic web elements. The method involves analyzing an element selector set to determine if it corresponds to a null value, indicating a failure to locate the specified DOM element. This process is part of a broader system for selecting and interacting with web elements, where element selectors are used to traverse the DOM and identify target elements. If the selector set fails to match any element, the system concludes that the element cannot be located, preventing errors in subsequent automation tasks. The method ensures robustness in web scraping, testing, and automation by validating selector effectiveness before proceeding with actions like clicking or data extraction. This approach is particularly useful in dynamic web environments where elements may load asynchronously or change frequently.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the markup language template includes node information, and wherein the node information comprises one or more of tag information, text information, one or more attributes, an element parent, and an element grandparent corresponding to the DOM element.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for processing markup language templates, particularly for generating or manipulating Document Object Model (DOM) elements. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently extracting and utilizing structural information from markup language templates, such as HTML or XML, to facilitate dynamic content generation or DOM manipulation. The method involves analyzing a markup language template to extract node information associated with DOM elements. This node information includes tag information (e.g., element names like <div> or <span>), text content within the element, one or more attributes (e.g., class, id, or src), and hierarchical relationships such as the element's parent and grandparent in the DOM tree. By capturing these details, the method enables precise identification and manipulation of DOM elements based on their structural context. The extracted node information can be used for various purposes, such as dynamically generating DOM elements, validating template structures, or applying transformations to the markup. The inclusion of parent and grandparent references allows for deeper hierarchical analysis, which is useful in scenarios where element relationships are critical, such as in web scraping, automated testing, or content management systems. The method ensures that the markup template's structure is preserved and leveraged effectively, improving the accuracy and efficiency of DOM-related operations.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: determining, for each selector of the element selector set and based on a likelihood of failure of the corresponding selector, selector stability; and determining, for element selector set and based on the selector stability, a selector priority order, wherein the selector priority order comprises, from lowest to highest priority: the sibling index, the class name, and the element identification, wherein reducing the element selector set comprises reducing the element selector set based on the selector priority order.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to web automation and testing, specifically improving the reliability of element selectors used to identify and interact with elements in a web page. The problem addressed is the instability of selectors in dynamic web environments, where selectors may fail due to changes in page structure, class names, or element identifiers. The solution involves analyzing the stability of different types of selectors and prioritizing them to create a more robust selector set. The method begins by evaluating each selector in a predefined set of selectors for a web element. For each selector, the likelihood of failure is assessed, which may involve checking for factors like dynamic class names, fragile sibling indices, or unstable element IDs. Based on this analysis, a stability score is assigned to each selector type. The selectors are then ranked in a priority order from least to most stable, with sibling indices being the lowest priority, followed by class names, and element IDs being the highest priority. This prioritization ensures that the most stable selectors are used first, reducing the risk of failures in automated interactions. The selector set is then reduced by removing lower-priority selectors, leaving only the most reliable options for use in web automation tasks. This approach enhances the robustness of automated testing and web scraping by minimizing selector failures in dynamic web environments.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a computing platform comprising at least one processor, a communication interface, and memory, cause the computing platform to: generate, in response to a request from a user device and based on a markup language template, a document object model (DOM) element tree corresponding to a DOM element to be located in a webpage; generate, using the DOM element tree, an element selector set corresponding to the DOM element; determine a first DOM element result using the element selector set; in response to determining the first DOM element result contains multiple elements including the DOM element: expand, using the DOM element tree, the element selector set to include additional element selectors, resulting in a first updated element selector set, wherein the element selector set is expanded without causing output of the first DOM element result to the user device; and determine a second DOM element result using the first updated element selector set by determining a unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element; in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains no elements: reduce, using the DOM element tree, the element selector set to include less element selectors, resulting in a second updated element selector set, wherein the element selector set is reduced without causing output of the first DOM element result to the user device, wherein reducing the element selector set comprises: determining whether the element selector set contains a sibling index; in response to determining that the element selector set contains the sibling index, removing the sibling index from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set; in response to determining that the element selector set does not contain the sibling index: determining whether the element selector set contains a class name; in response to determining that the element selector contains the class name, removing the class name from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set; and in response to determining that the element selector does not contain the class name, removing an element identification from the element selector set to generate the second updated element selector set, and determine the second DOM element result using the second updated element selector set by determining the unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element; and in response to determining that the first DOM element result contains a single element corresponding to the unique element of the webpage corresponding to the DOM element, output the unique element.

Plain English Translation

Web scraping and automated document processing systems often struggle to accurately identify specific elements within a webpage's document object model (DOM) due to ambiguous or overly specific selectors. This can lead to either multiple matches or no matches when attempting to locate a target DOM element. A system addresses this by dynamically adjusting element selectors based on the results of initial queries. The system generates a DOM element tree from a markup language template and creates an initial set of element selectors. If the initial query returns multiple elements, the system expands the selector set by adding more specific criteria, refining the search until a unique element is found. If no elements are found, the system reduces the selector set by progressively removing less critical selectors, such as sibling indices, class names, or element identifiers, until a match is located. This adaptive approach ensures accurate element identification without requiring manual intervention or exposing intermediate results to the user. The system efficiently narrows or broadens the search criteria in response to query outcomes, improving the reliability of DOM element extraction in web automation tasks.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein reducing the element selector set comprises: removing, after determining that no elements were determined using the element selector set, a priority selector from the element selector set, resulting in the second updated element selector set.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to optimizing element selection in web scraping or automated browser testing by dynamically adjusting element selector sets. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of static element selectors, which may fail when webpage structures change or when selectors are overly broad, leading to incorrect or slow element identification. The solution involves a system that iteratively refines a set of element selectors to improve accuracy and performance. The system starts with an initial set of selectors and evaluates their effectiveness in identifying target elements. If a selector fails to locate any elements, it is removed from the set, reducing the selector pool to a more precise subset. This refinement process continues until the remaining selectors reliably identify the intended elements. The system may prioritize certain selectors based on factors like specificity or historical success rates, ensuring that the most effective selectors are retained. By dynamically adjusting the selector set, the system improves the robustness and efficiency of automated web interactions, reducing errors and processing time. This approach is particularly useful in environments where web content frequently changes or where selectors must adapt to varying page structures.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the element selector set includes one or more priority selectors, the priority selectors being one of the sibling index, the class name, and the element identification corresponding to the DOM element.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to web page element selection for automated testing or interaction, addressing the challenge of reliably identifying dynamic or frequently changing elements in a Document Object Model (DOM). Traditional selectors like XPath or CSS often fail when page structures change, leading to test failures. The solution involves a priority-based element selection system that uses multiple selector types to robustly locate DOM elements. The system includes an element selector set containing priority selectors, which can be sibling index, class name, or element identification attributes. These selectors are evaluated in a prioritized order to determine the most reliable way to locate a target element. If one selector fails, the system falls back to the next priority selector, ensuring continued functionality even when certain attributes change. This approach improves the stability of automated web interactions by dynamically adapting to structural variations in the DOM. The system is implemented via non-transitory computer-readable media containing instructions for executing the selection logic, enabling integration into testing frameworks or browser automation tools. The priority-based selector set allows for flexible configuration, accommodating different web page structures and update patterns.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 wherein the memory stores additional computer readable media storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processor to: determine, after determining that the first DOM element result comprises the unique element corresponding to the DOM element, that the DOM element was successfully located.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to web scraping and automated browser interaction, specifically improving the reliability of locating dynamic elements in a Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page. The problem addressed is the difficulty in accurately identifying and interacting with specific DOM elements that may change dynamically, such as those generated by JavaScript or updated in real-time. Existing methods often fail to reliably locate elements due to inconsistencies in element attributes, structure, or timing. The solution involves a system that processes a web page's DOM to locate a target element by comparing it against a predefined set of criteria or a unique identifier. The system first retrieves the DOM structure of the web page and analyzes it to find a first DOM element result that matches the specified criteria. If the first result is determined to be a unique match (i.e., no other elements in the DOM meet the criteria), the system confirms that the target DOM element has been successfully located. This ensures that the correct element is identified before any further actions, such as scraping or interaction, are performed. The method reduces errors in automated web tasks by validating the uniqueness of the located element before proceeding. This approach is particularly useful in environments where web content is dynamically generated or frequently updated.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 wherein the memory stores additional computer readable media storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processor to: determine whether the element selector set corresponds to a null value; and in response to determining that the element selector set corresponds to the null value, determining a failure to locate the DOM element location.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to web-based systems for locating and interacting with elements within a Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page. The problem addressed is the difficulty in reliably identifying and accessing specific DOM elements, particularly when selectors or queries used to locate these elements return no results, leading to errors in automated web interactions or testing. The system involves a computer-implemented method for processing DOM element selectors. A processor executes instructions stored in memory to evaluate an element selector set, which is a collection of criteria or queries used to locate a specific DOM element. The system checks whether the selector set corresponds to a null value, indicating that no matching DOM element was found. If a null value is detected, the system determines that the DOM element location cannot be resolved, triggering an error or failure state. This ensures that subsequent operations relying on the element's presence are not executed, preventing unintended behavior in web automation, testing, or dynamic content rendering. The method may be part of a broader system for web scraping, automated testing, or dynamic content management, where accurate DOM element identification is critical. The invention improves reliability by explicitly handling cases where element selectors fail to locate the intended DOM target.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 wherein the memory stores additional computer readable media storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processor to: determine, for each selector of the element selector set and based on a likelihood of failure of the corresponding selector, selector stability; and determine, for element selector set and based on the selector stability, a selector priority order, wherein the selector priority order comprises, from lowest to highest priority: the sibling index, the class name, and the element identification, wherein reducing the element selector set comprises reducing the element selector set based on the selector priority order.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to optimizing web page rendering by dynamically reducing the complexity of element selectors used in cascading style sheets (CSS). The problem addressed is the computational overhead caused by overly complex or redundant CSS selectors, which can slow down page rendering and increase memory usage. The solution involves analyzing the stability and likelihood of failure for each selector in a set, then prioritizing them to minimize unnecessary processing. The system stores instructions that, when executed, determine the stability of each selector based on its failure likelihood. Selectors are then ranked in a priority order from lowest to highest: sibling index, class name, and element identification. This prioritization guides the reduction of the selector set, ensuring that less stable or lower-priority selectors are removed first. The goal is to maintain rendering accuracy while improving performance by eliminating redundant or inefficient selectors. The approach dynamically adjusts the selector set based on real-time stability assessments, optimizing both speed and resource usage during web page rendering.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

November 24, 2020

Inventors

Hongfei Wu
Yuanyuan Zhang

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Document Object Model (DOM) Element Location Platform